Author: Fee Writes

Will They Ever Get It Right?

Will They Ever Get It Right?

Oh Pill-ease, you have got to be kidding me!

McD’s are at it again with their attempt to disguise the fact that their food is just plain and simply unhealthy. Hell, even when they try to be healthy, they mess it up.

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They are now jumping on the food fad of kale. Don’t they know, kale is so last year as 2016 heralds foods from turmeric to seriously upgraded oatmeal and the real “new” is Koji (koh-jee) which is just rice that’s been inoculated with the koji mold, (this is what’s used to make miso and soy sauce).

But before you dash out to your nearest golden arches, be warned because it transpires that the new salad, with all its trimmings, has more fat, more calories, and less protein than a Big Mac.

How can they get it so wrong?

 

 

 

 

 




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Environmental Madness?

Environmental Madness?

A wee while ago there was quite some hoohar that went down when Donald Trump decided he wanted to build a golf course and resort thingy in Scotland. He promised loads of jobs and huge increase in the income of the area – the Government of the day fell for it.

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The Great Dunes of Scotland

In a nut shell, he talked his way into obtaining land that was set among the Great Dunes along the Aberdeenshire coastline, like, 4000 year old dunes designated as a special environment site!

Now we know how delicate the ecosystem is when it comes to dunes, so, as you can imagine there was a lot of people who didn’t want the Trump Meister building.

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The wind farms were not a good sight for Trumpy

But build he did. One poor farmer got a whole heap of dirt piled up so his view was blocked just because he wouldn’t sell out (dirt later removed through court action).  Trumpy even wanted to get the Government to seize the surrounding farms, but under Scottish law, couldn’t be done.
The real trouble came when the Scots decided they would build a wind farm out at sea right opposite the golf course. This was just too much for Trump and he tried to sue the government which didn’t get him anywhere.

The upshot was that he threw his toys out of the cot and basically up and walked off the project. There’s now just a club-house and a golf course there, very few people use it but the sad part is that the ecosystem is stuffed.

So where’s this leading to I hear you ask. Back here to N.Z.

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The beauty of the McKenzie Country

If you’re a New Zealander reading this you will know, or at least have heard, about the McKenzie Country. That gorgeous ecosystem in central South Island, most of which is owned by us, the public, and leased out as pastoral land. Some of this area provides habitat for several rare birds and fish including the black stilt, NZ Falcon, Canterbury galaxid (fish) and long-finned eel.

It is one of the most pristine areas of New Zealand (God knows we need to hang onto them) because it abounds with lakes, tussocks and environmental beauty.

Not only are there moves to sell off some of it to the private sector but now pastures of green turf have begun to appear to support a growing dairy industry in the area.

 

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“Crop circles” of irrigated pasture for dairy cows
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N.Z. the land of milk and … milk

The, forever money hungry, dairy industry is not content with the existing farms, but is hell bent, it seems, on destroying all the ecological and environmental delicacies that N.Z. has.

Sort of Trump style – no consideration at all even though there has been opposition from high country farmers, community boards, environmentalists, fisheries, forest & bird, tourist operators even hunters to no avail – the dairy farms came and continue to come.

And the impact they have made already is so sad. The problem is that these farms need water and so they are drawing from local lakes and already the impact has been felt.

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The water is being sucked out.

Where once there were water filled ponds and small lakes – the reservoirs are drying up. The large lakes are still o.k. …. but if the dairy continues to grow – well, I’ll leave you to ask the questions.

What will become of the MacKenzie Agreement? This is a landmark document developed over the past couple of years by farmers, environmentalists, tourist operators, businesses and the community which is designed to protect the special values of this area.

It seems that nothing stands in the way of the dairy industry. The irony is that dairy payouts to farmers has fallen dramatically and if this keeps up there’s every likelihood that we’ll see a repeat of the 80’s when greed overtook sensibility and the kiwifruit crashed causing many to just walk off their orchards.

Today many dairy farmers are facing similar outcomes. Suicide rates have increased and perhaps we’ll see abandoned farms which, unfortunately, have already left their destructive footprint on our environment

Source for this post:  Newshub
Source for Featured image:  Mackenzie Country Communication

 

 

 

 

 




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House-Sit Happening

House-Sit Happening

Here we go…..the first house-sit of 2016.

I’ve just begun a week at a home in Pyes Pa. Lovely new home with gorgeous ginger cat – three guesses to get his name. No? Can’t think? O.k. I’ll tell you ….. Ginge. But he’s one cool cat! Like his owners too. They were neighbours of mine back in the day when I was living at the Mount. Yup, they sold and shifted around the same time as I moved out and went house-sitting.

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This couple are so lovely to house-sit for and this will be the third time (I think). Not only that but they gave a really great reference which has landed me another HS for 10 weeks over winter. If you haven’t guessed, HS stands for house-sit, but who am I kidding, you’re such a bright reader I know you already figured that out… my apologies for doubting you.

As you can see, I don’t have the wonderful views from here, but, like I said, brand new home, all the mod-cons, and best part – a kitty to talk to and cuddle.  (when he lets me).

Oh, before I go, just thought I’d let you know that I’ve bought myself a decent hula hoop and am resurrecting the blue ribbon hoop winner child within me and getting some toning happening!

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And it’s not easy to take a selfie when hooping!

 

 

 

 

 




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Super Proud Mum!!!

Super Proud Mum!!!

That’s right I had a right proud night last night.

My oldest son, Sam and his gypsy swing band played in Tauranga and it was awesome!

The band, Black Spider Stomp had a great day in my little city with very profitable busking at the Mount before setting up at Imbibe Bar and giving us a ripping great session of gypsy swing and jazz.

facebookThey had played in Auckland to a big crowd at Britomart then in a little jazz bar in Hamilton filled with young ones. Tauranga didn’t really have the audience, but then that’s Tauranga for you, but those who were there enjoyed it immensely – I could tell, they actually listened, some danced and most clapped at the solos and all clapped and the end of each tune.

They’ll be in New Plymouth tomorrow night then back to Wellington. Sure hope they come back – maybe Jazz Fest.

If you want to listen to their music – click here:  Black Spider Stomp and you’ll get through to their website … you can actually hear all the music from their three albums.

Oh, yeah, one very proud mumma!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 




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So That’s Enough Exercise For Me!

So That’s Enough Exercise For Me!

Thursday morning, decision made …. I would walk to work.

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Stop laughing!  I know I’m one of those people whose exercise means a good brisk sit. But it is more about saving gas! No sweat! (although those

words would come back to haunt me). I have been threatening to do this since I moved into my digs, hell, it’s only down the hill.  Well, a little further than that.

So, banking on it being about 20 minutes, I left the house at precisely 8.34 a.m. Yes, I’m one of those people who don’t start work till 9, don’t know how I’d cope if I had to start earlier.  n fact it was 25 minutes and that was walking relatively briskly … not enough to get a sweat up, but certainly not a dawdle.

The ‘to work’ was actually really nice. You see the weather wasn’t too warm. In saying that, who expects it to be hot at that time of the day, this is N.Z. not Aussie. Tide was in, so the scenery was one where you bless the fact that you’re alive. Plus the fact the the first part was downhill.

20160211_171523The fun part came on the return trip. By now it was hotter – 5 p.m. or, more precisely 4 p.m. if you wipe daylight saving out of the equation. It was pleasant enough going across the bridge even though the tide was now out and the sun still had some power in it. Then came the hill. The up-side (note the pun), was the fact that part of it was in shade. Even so, the sweat was starting, just from the heat not the exercise.

Then all at once I got a whiff of a lovely smell that shot me right back to my childhood.  Palm Sunday – Google it if you’re not Catholic and don’t know – waiting in line at the Sunday mass to be issued with a palm frond which, in fact, had been picked from this type of bush…see photo below…and given out to each one of the devoted flock.

I loved the smell of that palm and every year, when I was a kid, it meant the same thing = it was only a week away before I’d be able to eat lollies again – Easter! Not only that, but I still had Good Friday to look forward to …. the one day of the year I could eat my fill of hot cross buns, plus going to our beach house for 10 days holiday!!!! Yes, we got time off school ‘cause it was holiday time for dad. I loved Palm Sunday.

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So back to the 11th February 2016 and that smell. And if anyone can tell me the name of this plant in the comments below, I’ll be really grateful. The funny thing about this is that it’s not even a palm – doesn’t resemble anything like the palm fronds in the pictures that supposedly the crowd waved at Jesus, but, hey, it didn’t matter, I just loved the smell.

Because of that whammy back to my childhood, the rest of the hill climb was pretty darn easy. Although by the time I did get home I was pretty hot and went straight into the bathroom to throw some cold water over myself.  Next job was to pour a glass of wine, wander over to the neighbour’s place and lounge out on their deck where my flatmate already was.

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Next morning, however, I have to admit to feeling the burn in the gluteal muscles (google it if it’s not obvious where that is), and did hesitate on doing the walk again. But, as the old saying goes, “no pain no gain” I decided once again to don the walking shoes and head off. Wow – it was a hot walk. The temperature had risen quite considerably since the morning before and I was a little slower and ever so pleased with the bits of shade I did come across.

This time, however, I tried something different and that was to put the head-phones on and listened to a motivational recording. Was pretty good except when I’d get blocked out by a loud truck or bus going passed. At lunchtime, I downloaded an app for audio books which, hopefully, will keep the walk entertaining.

It being Friday the beers came out and, because I was walking and not driving, I ordered a wine!!!! Wheee, the guys wondered what had struck and when I said that I was walking home, one of the guys said wow, that’s a long walk to Katikati – cute, he didn’t know I’d shifted. Mind you, I did question the sensibility of drinking wine prior to a walk in the heat….up a hill. But, what the hell – for those of you who know me, you’ll know that I’ll try anything once.

Oh but how the gods look kindly on me. The boss’s wife turned up to have a Friday wine with us and she, and the guys, all thought it would be a much better idea for me to get a ride home. It was “no problem” she said, she lives “close by”  she said, even “know your street” she said. So, what is a girl to do? The sensible thing – have another wine and get a ride home.

I have two more days – Monday and Tuesday that I can walk again. It will depend on the weather of course…don’t do rain, so here’s hoping it’s fine (or not too hot). Wednesday I’m off to house-sit. This means I’ll go back to parking a wee distance away to get some walking in.

 

 

 

 

 




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I’m On Bluesky

I’m On Bluesky

About Me

fee o'shea

Thanks for dropping by. My name is Fee O’Shea. I’m a mother and grandma, an author, and a Comedy Improver.
This blog is for my thoughts, my rants, raves, reviews and things that have grabbed my attention. From politics to social media to beauty, health and the environment. Fee’s World is written to bring you a smile or get you thinking. Enjoy.

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